Indianapolis man kept woman chained in basement for sex, police say

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WXIN) – A man kept a woman chained up for days and held her prisoner in the basement of an Indianapolis home, prosecutors say.

Indianapolis Metropolitan police are now searching for that man. Maurice Nelson, 28, is accused of kidnapping and raping the woman at a home in the 4500 block of Norwaldo Avenue on the north side, according to our media partners at the Indy Star.

On July 14, a neighbor called police around 6:20 p.m. after hearing the woman screaming. Police forced their way into the home and found the nude woman handcuffed in the basement. She was in shackles and had a chain around her neck. Other chains bolted her to the floor and a pole, police said.

The woman told police she met Nelson on July 10 after speaking with him on a chat line. He picked her up at a hotel and she got into his car. She said they started having sex at his home when Nelson sprayed her with pepper spray.

He then overpowered and handcuffed her, forcing her into the basement. She told investigators he claimed to be a police officer and pretended he was taking into a police radio.

After chaining her up, she said Nelson beat her with a baton and raped her. At times, he unshackled her for "good behavior" but warned her that he'd let his dogs attack her if she tried to escape.

Police have been looking for Nelson for two weeks. He's charged with rape, criminal confinement and battery, among other crimes.